er them.

From without came a cry of rage as the advancing Germans realized that,
for the moment, at least, they had been deprived of their prey.

"Guard the door there, men!" shouted Hal. "Get back and to one side out
of the line of fire. Save your bullets until they cross the threshold,
then shoot them down."

The men moved into position. Hal glanced quickly around to make sure
that all was in readiness and at that moment Captain Leroux descended
the stairs.

"Good work, Mr. Paine," he said quietly. "If I live, I shall report this
piece of work. I will take command here now. Return to your post above."

Hal saluted and did as commanded.

Hardly had he reached position above when he heard Captain Leroux below
give the command:

"Fire!"

CHAPTER XV

LEFT BEHIND

The Germans had drawn off again.

The last assault had met with no better success than had the attacks that
had gone before. True, the defenders had suffered considerably, for the
German fire had been accurate; but the losses of the French had been as
nothing compared with those of the Teutons.

This last assault had been more severe than the others. The Germans had
shown even greater tenacity and courage than before. In vain had their
officers sought to hold them to the attack. Once, twice, thrice had the
human sea surged against the farmhouse, only to be thrown back; so at
last the Germans had withdrawn.

Dead and wounded men strewed the floor. There were still some who had not
been touched by the bullets of the foe, but the majority of the defenders
of the top floor lay prone.

Hal shook his head sadly.

"Don't believe we can withstand another such charge," he said aloud.

"How long yet, sir?" asked the grizzled old veteran, Francois, who,
though he had kept his place at the window through the last attack, had
escaped the German bullets.

Again Hal gazed closely at his watch.

"Twelve minutes to go," he said quietly.

The face of Francois brightened.

"Then we are all right, sir," he said. "They will hardly attack again in
that time, sir."

Hal shook his head.

"They are likely to attack at any moment," he replied slowly. "Besides,
if we do succeed in beating them off once more, there is nothing to
assure us that we will be relieved then."

"Nothing sir," returned Francois, "except Captain Leroux's word that we
have only to hold this house two hours, sir."

"True," said Hal, brightening visibly. "I shouldn't have spoke